I See Red: The shocking story of a battle against The Warehouse

Judith’s Bell’s slogan: Don’t get mad, get even.

She takes The Warehouse to court, founds a campaign to support local manufacturers, changes her name to that of The Warehouse boss, Stephen Tindall, to draw attention to his company’s business practices, and wins support from thousands of people all over the country for her views, courage and fight for justice.

This is one of the year’s most important books. The Warehouse is New Zealand’s largest retailer, with 127 stores and sales revenue of over $2 billion a year. But the facts are disturbing.

The Warehouse claims to support Kiwi-made, yet over 80 percent of its products are imported.

Its slogan is ‘where everyone gets a bargain’ but its “bargains” may come at tremendous cost to local retailers, manufacturers, workers, communities and ultimately the New Zealand economy.

I See Red is about more than just one woman’s battle. It is about the future of New Zealand:

— Do we want an economy swamped with cheap, low-quality foreign imports and dominated by big-box retailers?
— Shouldn’t local communities have more say over whether a Warehouse sets up in their town?
— What will happen to New Zealand as more and more jobs are sent offshore?
— Why is the government attempting to negotiate a free-trade agreement with China when conditions for workers there are among the worst in the world?
— And most importantly – What are our values as a nation?

‘A powerful denunciation of the dark side of globalisation – at home and abroad’
TIM HAZLEDINE, professor of economics, Auckland University, and author of Taking New Zealand Seriously: The Economics of Decency